New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-24
'SHARP'S DAY OF TRIAL NEAR.
TOMORROW He WILL BE ARRA1GNEp.

TOMORROW HE WILL BE ARRAIGNED.
THE TRIAL LIKELY TO OCCUR NEXT wEEK-Ex.
TRAoRDrNARY PREPARATIONS MADE BY TIE
DIsTRICTArToRxEY.
Jacob Sharp win be called to the bar Of the
Court OF Oyer and 1ermincr at II o'clock TO-
morrow morning, and o motion will be made by
Dls1rict-Auorney MARITIME and his assistant, De.
lancey Nfcon. that carly day be fixed for the
trial OF the chief of the indicted bribe- -givcrs.
lhe Trial Will probably begin week from Monday
before Justice Barrett
The preparations FOR this trial have been long
continued on the part Of the District-Atorney and
his assistants. Ex-Alderman Charles b. Waite
and other persons who were familiar with some
OF the corrupt schemes Of the promoters Of the
Broadway steal have been carefully examined
as to the facts 10 which they could testify, and
the case has been thoroughly considered, 80 that
the prosecution may be prepared to meet any
possible line OF defence which may develop at the
trial. 1t has been reported among persons IA
miliar with the ofiicc-thoush neither Mr.. Mar
tine nor MIR. Nicoll will acknowledge the truth
OF the report-that there has been difference on
opinion between the District-Attorncy ind his
assistant as to the advisabnity Of entering upon
this trial at present. Mr. Nicoll has urged, it
is said, the immediate trial Of the case. and his
view has finally been adopted.
Startling testimony is expected on both sides.
The prosecution will call several witnesses who
have never yet told in public ary considerable
part Of what they have disclosed to the prcsccut-
ing officers Albert Stickney who is Sharp's
counsel, has of course not made known tie nat
ure OF the defence which nc will offer but state
ments are frequently made by well-informed per.
sons that Jacob Sharp has become deeply ,ndlg-
nant at what he considers tho ingrottudc "a
political acquaintances, and is ready to tell any
amount OF truth so long as he can inlure some Oh
his former friends. These statements are denied,
however, by those who are acquainted with Sharp's
belief in his own power to get out OF difficulties.
Two or three politicians who are said TO be
friendly to Sharp called at the District Attorneys
office yesterday, and the uEors of strong efforts
to prevent trial Of the case were renewed.
The services of Colonel John r. Fellows Wild
was absent at the trial Of ex-Aderman Cleary.
viii be needed at the approaching trial Of Sharp.
Colonel Fellows has been at Hot Springs, Ark,
but message reached the District-Attorney'a
office yesterday that he was now on his way ia
the East, and he will probably reach New-Yorlk
early in this week.
Jacob Sharps bondsman, who will be called on
to produce him in court tomorrow, is John
Downey, No Ga East Fifty y-siXth-st lie justified
at the time of Sharp's arrest on October 10 In
the sum OF over $4,000, and was accepted BY
Mr.. MARITIME surety for the full amount OF
,O00 in which Sharp Is held for trial.
Ex-Judge Fullerton will probably assist In the
defence of Sharp. lie is counsel for James A.
Richmond. who was jointly indicted with Sharp
As the charge against Sharp is virtually one OF
evidence can be introduced as to the
acts Of any Of the members OF the supposed cor
rupt combination to bribe the Aldermen. The
facts brought out at the Aldermanic trials viii
be testified TO, and in addition any facts OF which
the Distiict-Attorney has knowledge which tends
N hrin homo ha nf hx
or his associates.
Sharp has so strongly and constantly maintain
cd his innocence that he will, in tho opinion OF
most Of those who have watched his course care
fully, rely largely on the SELF assurance which
carried him through the Senate Committee inves-
tigation. He then denied that he had used any
money corruptiy but he had totally forgotten
SO many important facts that he did not make
n good witness In his own behalf lie failed al
together TO account for some 100000 Of Che
securities OF the broadway Surface Road, which
were in his possession. The severe examination
TO which he was subjected before the Senate Com
mittee has been of great advantage to the Dis
in preparing for the trial. Mr..
Nicoll has sent for the officers OF the banks and
safe deposit companies where Sharp had accounts
Or kept securities, and the ground gone over by
Ihe counsel for the Senate Committee has been
carefully traversed again and some important
facts which have not been developed TO this
branch Of the case, have een'dscoyered. Mr..
Nicon has had in OF his invest gat ions the
assistance of Assistant District-Attorney SEM
pie and one or two Others Of those who are con-
nected with the office.
The precautions TO prevent any interference
with jurors will be great possible 1lA
list OF persons drawn will be gone over carefully
and even greater pains will be taken than at she
Aldermanic trials to ascertain the antecedenfn
md far possible the character OF the luDrs
An officer who has been interested ia these in
rostigatlons at the past u1als said:
mistake to suppose that there is any greater dauf
this trial who influenced In favor
defendant than at Of the other trials sharp nos
personally popular Of the Aldermen have been. Hh
money and influence probably used to secure an aco
these conviction IN the OF an Aheruaa
against hun. The political influences
md t ought obtain twelve Jurors
will decide honestly In the matter.
1he trial will occupy a full month, IL not long
n. The taking OF testimony will probably ccsu'
W O much longer time than at any OF the pre-
'ious trials as the evidence in any of those
ases must be supplemented by mass Of tes&i-
nony as 10 the disposition which was made Of
he securities of the Broadway Surface road and
he levgc amount Of cash which was traced int
he hands Of Sharp and his associates.